03/29/2011
Softball Team #12 Nationally

The Hudson Valley Community College softball team (8-2) is currently ranked #12 in the NJCAA Top 12 Division III National Poll. The Vikings went 6-2 on their spring trip in Myrtle Beach, SC and followed up with back-to-back wins over Columbia-Greene Community College this past Tuesday.

In Region III, the women are ranked #2 in offense, recording 76 hits for a .376 average. They are also ranked #3 in pitching, allowing only 18 earned runs for a 2.68 ERA.

Natalie Triano (Colonie/Albany) is off to a hot start at the plate, batting a .560 for fifth place in Region III. Triano leads all of Region III in RBIs, with 17, and is tied at second in homeruns, with two. Molly McDonough (Lansingburgh/Lansingburgh) is also ranked in the top 10 in hitting, homeruns, and RBIs. Much of the Vikings' success can be attributed to the contributions the team has received from two incoming freshman pitchers, Kate Cahrenger (Waterford-Halfmoon/Waterford) and Cherish Kilventon (Cohoes/Cohoes). Each has four wins on the mound this year and are ranked five and six in pitching. They are both also ranked in the top 10 in strikeouts in the region.

The Vikings are off to their best start in more than eight seasons, going 8-2 through their first 10 games.